The Longford football championship reaches the semi-final stage this weekend.
Killoe meet Abbeylara on Saturday and Colmcille face Mullinalaghta on Sunday with both games live on Shannonside over the weekend.
The four semi-finalists have taken 16 of the 20 final places over the last 10 years. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Killoe v Abbeylara – Saturday September 28 – Glennon Brothers Pearse Park – Throw-in: 17:15
The defending champions Killoe Emmet Og have been devastating thus far. Six games played six wins, as if nothing can stop them.
However, a lopsided group draw and the Carrickedmond story line saw Luke Dempsey’s side face Dromard in the quarter-final.
Dromard were a different standard of opposition than what Killoe faced in the group phase. The three point win was deserved, but they step up again this Saturday.
Frankie Dolan’s Abbeylara were second in group B, the group of death. Two wins from five doesn’t discredit them.
Dolan’s side dominated the quarter-final win over Rathcline, but no on the scoreboard. This one will come down to scoring efficiency. Some Killoe have in abundance.
Verdict: Killoe
Colmcille v Mullinalaghta – Saturday September 28 – Glennon Brothers Pearse Park – Throw-in: 16:00
A high stakes derby game is always worth to tuning into. It’s now six years since Mullinalaghta won the Leinster championship. The Three-in-a-row county winners are now one-in-six.
Time and age catches up with everyone. But! The Arnold Schwarzenegger terminator line “old not obsolete” sums up Mullinalaghta.
Their best days maybe behind them, but there are some good days left in the tank.
Colmcille on the other hand are a well drilled team. Clonguish fancied as the new kids on the Longford block, even with Paul McKeon shown red, Colmcille won out.
This will be tight. Mullinalaghta know how to win when it’s gets tight and dirty. There’s life in the old dog left.
Verdict: Mullinalaghta
